Minnesota beekeepers opposing 'honey laundering'

Minnesota beekeepers are holding a news conference at the State Fair on Monday to highlight the problem of "honey laundering."

They say low-quality and contaminated honey from China is being dumped onto the U.S. market by being shipped through third countries to avoid import duties and food safety rules.

Officials from the Minnesota Honey Producers Association will be joined by Sen. Amy Klobuchar, who sits on the Agriculture Committee. She's asking the Food and Drug Administration for tougher enforcement of laws already on the books, and a new identity standard to ensure the purity of honey sold on the U.S. market.

Minnesota is the sixth largest honey producer in the United States.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

Political Coverage Powered by You

Your gift today creates a more connected Minnesota. MPR News is your trusted resource for election coverage, reporting and breaking news. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.